Five hundred years. Miles draws in a sharp little breath, unable to hide his shock at the sheer scope of it. For a world to be occupied for five hundred years ... that means the United Corporation had to have dominated it nearly from its first settlement. He'd known that Maratha had been one of the very first colonies after the wormholes had been discovered, but even so. Barrayar had suffered enough under twenty years of occupation. The fact that this woman stands before him at all is nothing short of a miracle.
But that too may be their downfall. A company so firmly entrenched may well be lazy, or at least thoroughly surprised by Dendarii audacity. Both of which he will need in the coming fight, he is certain of it. He can't think of any other mercenary outfits that have attempted it - much to Barrayar's dismay. The UC is currently imposing some very displeasing taxes on the entire Imperium. Which is fortunate, as it's the entire basis of Miles' communication back to Simon to request money for the whole debacle. If it goes poorly, his outfit will still be paid. If it goes well ... they might be paid thrice over. Which is good, because Bel is giving him a look about this whole lack of being paid in advance thing.
He's quiet a moment, mulling it over. Mostly a show for both of their guards, but. "The mines that the UC is currently profiting handsomely from, I'm sure." Hell, maybe he wouldn't even need payment from Barrayar in that case. His portion alone would be enough to feed a lovely revenue stream directly back to his homeworld. "So - tell me. How many mercenary outfits have you approached before mine?"
He thinks he knows the answer to that. Surely his is the latest in a string of many rejections. Could she possibly have come to him first and foremost?
no subject
But that too may be their downfall. A company so firmly entrenched may well be lazy, or at least thoroughly surprised by Dendarii audacity. Both of which he will need in the coming fight, he is certain of it. He can't think of any other mercenary outfits that have attempted it - much to Barrayar's dismay. The UC is currently imposing some very displeasing taxes on the entire Imperium. Which is fortunate, as it's the entire basis of Miles' communication back to Simon to request money for the whole debacle. If it goes poorly, his outfit will still be paid. If it goes well ... they might be paid thrice over. Which is good, because Bel is giving him a look about this whole lack of being paid in advance thing.
He's quiet a moment, mulling it over. Mostly a show for both of their guards, but. "The mines that the UC is currently profiting handsomely from, I'm sure." Hell, maybe he wouldn't even need payment from Barrayar in that case. His portion alone would be enough to feed a lovely revenue stream directly back to his homeworld. "So - tell me. How many mercenary outfits have you approached before mine?"
He thinks he knows the answer to that. Surely his is the latest in a string of many rejections. Could she possibly have come to him first and foremost?